ADOPTION AND SONSHIP THROUGH CHRIST SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES LESSON 699: ADOPTION AND SONSHIP THROUGH CHRIST

RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY From our last study, entitled “Rebuke for Reverting to Legalism”, we learnt that we overcome error and false teachers through understanding of God’s word. We are justified by faith, not by our own merit or works. And our walk with God is reflected in holy living without any legalism or boasting.

TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 699: ADOPTION AND SONSHIP THROUGH CHRIST MEMORY VERSE: “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6). TEXT: Galatians 4:1-11. The study of today is divided into three parts: Explanation of the concept of scriptural adoption. The sonship of believers through Christ. Appeal against relapsing into legalism.

SUMMARY Explanation of the concept of scriptural adoption (Galatians 4:1-5): God has adopted believers and given them full rights and privileges, conferring on them the power of attorney to carry out responsibilities on His behalf. Adoption ushers the believer into full liberty of sons, empowers him to enter God’s inheritance and offers a new realm of intimacy with the triune God. The sonship of believers through Christ (Galatians 4:6, 3:26 ) It is only through the new birth that a sinner can become a son/daughter of God. Full sonship is by receiving “the Spirit of His Son” in the heart, making the New Testament sonship superior to the Old Testament. Appeal against relapsing into legalism (Galatians 4:8-11) Paul appealed to the Galatians to neither relinquish their position of adoption nor forfeit their relationship of sonship by relapsing into legalism (which would virtually be the same as outright backsliding).

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1 How is adoption in the physical different from the spiritual? Galatians 4:1-5

QUESTION 2 Explain the uniqueness of spiritual adoption of New Testament believers: Romans 8:15,16 Ephesians 1:4,5

QUESTION 3 What are the benefits of spiritual adoption of believers in Christ? Galatians 4:4-7 Romans 8:17

QUESTION 4 How can sinners receive adoption into God’s family and become sons? John 1:12 Galatians 3:26 2 Corinthians 6:17,18

QUESTION 5 In what significant way is sonship in Christ superior to that of Old Testament saints? 2 Peter 1:3,4 Romans 8:14 Romans 8:28, 29.

QUESTION 6 On what basis did Paul appeal to the Galatians not to backslide? Galatians 4:8-11.

CONCLUSION God sent Jesus to redeem us so we can be adopted in His family by faith. Those who repent of their sins, forsake rituals, exercise faith in the Christ will be saved and adopted into the family of God as His sons and daughters.